Improv patchwork placemat number one

You can watch this 2 minute tutorial to see how I do improv patchwork. Using paper as stabiliser is optional:

Improv patchwork visual process

This is a very much an “anything goes” process. The only rule that applies is that your seam allowance should be 1/4 in or less.

Start by stitching two pieces together. As you can see, they’re not the same length but it does not matter.

Just trim the excess after the pieces are stitched together. Do not throw the trimmings away as they may be useful later on.

Pick up another piece of fabric, the same length or longer and stitch to the previous piece.

Now get a different piece. It does not matter if it is a triangle or a rectangle. Even a curved piece though curved pieces need a different stitching method and I did not use any curved pieces for this project.

Stitch and trim off the excess fabric.

As you can see the point is to square every piece as much as possible after adding a new piece. Squaring out the piece will make it easier to keep adding pieces.

Same as before.

As you can see here, I started from scratch again. Later I will join several improv pieces to make a larger piece.

Keep doing this until you get to a rectangle that measures between 13 and 14 in x 18 and 19 in.

If you have a look at the picture below (click to enlarge), you can see how I assembled the rectangle. Mine grew from number one and it expanded around it for the left part. Then the right side (not numbered) was done separately and added later to make a larger rectangle.

Assembly

Once you have your piece, trim it to 12 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches.

Now cut a piece of linen in the same size. I used the trimmed patchwork for measure.